We invite artists to apply for an art commission that is part of a major urban development project in Stockholm. Based on the concept of “public place”, the artist will be tasked with creating art for a public square. The Hagaplan square is an element in the development of the new city district Hagastaden which will connect the City of Stockholm with the Municipality of Solna. The commission is part of the art investment for the New Karolinska Solna hospital (NKS).

The Art Commission

The objective of the art at Hagaplan is to place people and citizens at the centre of attention by focusing on the square’s importance in the urban space.

The art commission will provide Hagaplan with a visual expression in which art, landscape architecture and architecture meet. In relation to the large-scale and dense architecture the art shall reflect critically on the concept of “public place” and relate to the situation and the context of the site.

The expression of the art shall encourage the retention of the open spaces of the square. The artist must take into account the architectural design of Hagastaden and the degree of accessibility in the square, including which social groups and interests will be included and excluded.

Budget

The fee for the sketch assignment is 50,000 SEK exclusive of VAT.

The budget for the execution of the commission is 1 500 000 SEK exclusive of VAT. The artist is responsible for the budget. The budget must cover all costs for the execution of the artwork, including the artist’s own fee for executing the work and the artistic fee, material costs, mounting, subcontractors/assistants, travel, transportation, insurance and storage until the artwork can be installed.

The Context of the Commission

During 2014/2015 the Culture Administration, the National Public Art Agency and Stockholm Art realised the project ArtResLab. Six artists participated in an exchange with 15 life sciences researchers, the intention of which was to gain an in-depth contextual and early collaboration with the landscape architect. The project resulted in six proposals for different locations in Hagastaden, two of which were for Hagaplan. With the completion of ArtResLab the feasibility study phase of the art project has shifted to the implementation phase. For the Culture Administration’s art commission at Hagaplan, an artist will be invited to a sketch assignment, in addition to the two artists who participated in ArtResLab.

The three public art organisations, the Culture Administration of the Stockholm County Council, the Public Art Agency Sweden and Stockholm Art, are responsible for the art in different parts of the area. In 2012 a common overarching art programme was formulated with the objective of creating a comprehensive whole for the artistic expression of Hagastaden, via cooperation between the state, the county council and the municipality in which the art will be an essential, identity-building element in the formation of the area.

The new city district of Hagastaden will connect the City of Stockholm and the Municipality of Solna, which will be rendered possible by decking over the E4/E20 motorway and the demolition of the Norra Station area. Characterised by the ideal of the dense city, the area will accommodate 6,000 new homes and about 50,000 jobs upon completion. In the same area, the Karolinska Institutet and the Karolinska University Hospital will expand and the New Karolinska Solna (NKS) will be located. The design of Hagastaden involves a high degree of coordination and cooperation between the various commissioners across municipal borders.

Today, the area has a strong focus on life sciences research. The commissioners and the business community have agreed on a joint vision for Hagastaden, transforming it into Northern Europe’s largest life sciences cluster and it will become a world-leading science city. The area will be completed in phases, first NKS and the Hagaplan square in 2018, and subsequently the residential area in the eastern sector. The entire Hagastad area is expected to be completed in 2025.

Site Conditions

The decking over of the motorway E4/E20 has involved great costs and high land prices, resulting in maximised development rights. At Hagaplan this has led to a reduction in size of the open plaza. The square is a place for citizens and one of the few open, unexploited areas in a public space in Hagastaden.

The architecture of Hagastaden will be characterised by tall buildings and a scarcity of public areas. The open square, Hagaplan, is one of the few places in the district with access to direct sunlight, and is thus expected to be attractive to both residents and visitors.

The area surrounding the square will be framed by a low-rise building that, among other things, will contain a metro entrance, a building with a hotel and a restaurant as well as a round building that will probably house life sciences activities. Adjacent will be the NKS emergency hospital, its main entrance facing the square. The entire Hagaplan area will be characterised by heavy traffic, especially buses.

What is a Public Art Commission for the Culture Administration?

The Culture Administration works with art in public spaces, either in healthcare environments or adjacent thereto. The extent of the public or private character, as well as the openness and the privacy of the places may vary widely. The art is always produced specifically for the location and the context it is part of.

The art is an element of an architectural context which implies collaboration between many different actors, including the Culture Administration’s project managers, art consultants, construction project supervisors, architects and representatives of the commissioners. Time schedules, processes and deliveries are coordinated with the construction project.

An artist who is awarded an art commission is responsible for the production of his/her artwork, including the budget and administration. Commission can often extend over several years. Environmental considerations must be taken into account when selecting materials and manufacturing methods. Operating and maintenance instructions for the artwork must be submitted to the Culture Administration who is responsible for the management of the art.

Timetable

• 2016-02-29 24.00 hours. Application deadline.
• 2016 - week 16 selected artist(s) for sketch assignment.
• 2016 october selection of artist(s) for art commission.
• 2016 november start for art commission.
• Mid 2017 delivery of the artwork.